Arak (liqueur)
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| Missing image Bottle_of_Arak_Rayan.jpg Arak Rayan |
A clear, colorless Middle-eastern and eastern Mediterranean liqueur, made in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Made from grapes and anise, arak (from Arabic araq عرق, meaning "sweat") is closely related to the Greek ouzo and to the French pastis. It is served with meals or as an aperitif, and mixed with water, which makes it opaque (as with other anise-flavored liqueurs).
In Iran, arak is made in many homes and is consumed on various occasions. More common in Iran is a purer and stronger sort of Arak, made without anise, which is called Aragh-e Sagi (Persian: عرق سگی, literally dog's arak).
See also Raki, a similar drink from Turkey, and arrack, a different drink from southeast Asia.
External link
- Some Israeli recipes based on arak (http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/israel/flavor_anise.html)